Page 118 of Riftborne
Dinner was quiet as we heated the pre-cooked meals sent along with us from the Compound. Roasted fish with root vegetables—a delicacy I still hadn’t become accustomed to.
The Base Guards would be switching out night watch and were placed strategically around the perimeter of the camp.
I found the sleeping arrangements maddeningly awkward. Seeing how the General usually traveled alone, there was a single tent for both of us to share. Praise the Esprithe the guards brought an extra bed for me.
When the General mentioned a tent, I was expecting the ones typical for hunters during the winter season, but that was not what I walked into after we finished eating.
In no world would this ever be considered a tent. The space inside was huge, and the roof was at least double the size of a standard dwelling. A small fire burned in the middle of the room,helping to fight the winter chill. Animal hides insulated the walls, and rugs covered the ground.
There were two beds on either side–raised cots with fur blankets layered atop. I walked over, dropping my belongings onto one before sitting down and chucking off my boots. I stretched my legs all the way down to my toes. I knew I would be sore tomorrow from the extended time on horseback.
I dug through my bag, searching for my night clothes, eager to crawl into bed and fall asleep. My eyes were heavy, and I knew we would have an early morning.
I looked for a place to change, but there seemed to be no privacy. It was a giant, open space.
I eyed Laryk, who was reclined, sorting through some parchment. I took the opportunity to unbutton my vest and yank my blouse and trousers off, quickly replacing them with my nightgown. I brushed through my hair, collecting it in a braid before tying it back.
I turned around and nearly jumped. Laryk was standing now, bare chested as he adjusted the coals in the fire. The light cast perfect shadows across his sculpted abdomen. His trousers hung low on his hips, exposing a defined v. The sight heated me more than the fire.
“We’re sparring tomorrow morning before we leave, by the way. I want to test your new ability,” he mused, extinguishing the candle on his bedside table.
“Got it,” I mumbled, rolling over. I could sense his eyes burning a hole in my back as I drifted off to sleep.
CHAPTER 42
Mist clung to the air,drifting across the mountain range in the distance. The sun was only just beginning to peak over the horizon, and there wasn’t a soul in sight.
“Okay, I think I’m ready. Let’s go another round.”
I turned my attention to Fia.
A shock of white curls had escaped their tie and loosely framed her face, drifting effortlessly in the wind. Her skin was glistening with perspiration and flushed from exertion.
My eyes shamelessly wandered over her heaving chest and up to her mouth. She took a swig from her canteen, and I followed the trail of water that escaped her lips, dripping down her throat and disappearing into the collar of her uniform.
I was suddenly feeling very parched, myself.
Rolling my shoulders, I jogged to the center of the field, not far from the campsite. I extended the blindfold to Fia. She walked over, reaching for the cloth, but I retracted my hand, shaking my head.
Her eyes sparked, quick to take up the challenge.
“I’ll be the one to tie it. You know the rules,” I reminded her, holding back the urge to rile her more.
I couldn’t help but smile at her flushed, defiant face before she conceded and turned her back to me.
I adjusted the dark fabric over her eyes, my fingers brushing against the nape of her neck as I secured the knot. I watched her shiver at the slight contact, and a jolt of need raged through me unabashedly. I swallowed the desire to pull her against my chest and took a step back.
I was more than impressed with the development of her focus. Her ability to track a mind in total darkness would be invaluable.
She was invaluable.
My need for her had been present from the very beginning, despite my attempts to ignore it. It had burned through me from the moment I’d seen her at the Grove surrounded by bodies, energy still radiating off her like water on hot pavement.
I moved on silent feet, circling her. She took one final breath in, halting on a small gasp before holding it. And then she was on me, feet and arms sweeping out in a skillful rhythm. I quickly changed my position and felt a jab to my side as her arm shot back, making contact. I grabbed it, locking it against my ribs and putting her at an odd angle.
This round is finished.
I heard the small hiss of stored oxygen escaping her lips as she kicked out with her legs and used her body weight to pull us forward onto the grass. The shock of it had me falling, but with a twist of my body, I had her pinned beneath me and writhing.
